Olympics Norovirus - Why The "Stomach Flu" Isn't The Flu

South Korean authorities deployed 900 military personnel at the PyeongChang Olympics on Tuesday after the security force was depleted by an outbreak of norovirus.

Norovirus is commonly spread through contaminated water or food that has come in contact with the virus during preparation and most frequently occurs in crowded environments like cruise ships or hospitals, according to the Mayo Clinic. Most people are still contagious up to two days after they start feeling better. People sometimes refer to a norovirus infection as "stomach flu", even though the virus is not related to influenza.

Dehydration is linked to norovirus because it's hard for those infected to take in as much fluid as they are losing to vomiting and diarrhea.

Officials at the Winter Olympics anxious about dismal ticket sales and bitterly cold temperatures may have another problem on their hands: a stomach-churning norovirus outbreak.

"The virus can easily contaminate food because it is very tiny and infective". "Being infected with one type of norovirus may not protect you against other types".

Millions of people get ill with norovirus each year. A year ago in London at the world athletics championships, the virus quickly spread through one hotel, and several athletes had to withdraw from the first days of the tournament, The Guardian reported.

According to the CDC, norovirus causes inflammation of the stomach, the intestines or both. Hochman suggests isolating people who could have been exposed to norovirus because the symptoms begin relatively abruptly after exposure.

The CDC recommends practicing proper hand hygiene, washing fruits and vegetables and cooking food thoroughly before eating, not preparing food for others when you feel sick, and cleaning and disinfecting contaminated surfaces. In some cases, victims also suffer fever, chills, headache, weight loss and fatigue.

There isn't a specific treatment for norovirus infection - most cases usually resolve on their own in a few days And because it's a virus, you can't treat it with antibiotics. Mr. Hong said that as of Thursday, more than 1,100 people - including some nonsecurity staff - were still in quarantine. It may also spread via contaminated surfaces or through the air. Though a vaccine for norovirus is in development, it has not yet been approved.